Pest ID affecting Fiddle Leaf Fig Indoor Plan

Nbreakspeare

Is anyone able to help me ID this pest affecting the leaves on my indoor Fiddle Leaf Fig and propose remedies? Close up of adult pest in second photo. They moved around rather quickly when I touched leaves for closer inspection today and appear to create tiny, round brown black shiny spots - perhaps their eggs. I have only been paying attention to my fig at night to water so have missed the brown spots created from the infestation that is affecting several leaves. Thank you in advance for your replies.

Dovefromabove

Hi @Nbreakspeare and welcome to the forum 

If you're having problems uploading the photos, reducing the size of the picture usually works.  If that doesn't work let us know 

Nbreakspeare

How do I delete a post? My first post is in the wrong category (Potting Shed). I have created a post in Problem Solving where the topic belongs but want to delete the first, duplicate post. Thanks

B3

Hardly anyone bothers about categories. We just look at recent discussions. You'll find both of your threads there. Click on the cog/ flower icon top right of the one you want to delete and you can edit it

Pete.8

Maybe thrips-


This may help with treatment-
https://www.houseplantjournal.com/thrips/#:~:text=Since%20the%20leaves%20of%20the,SOAP%20(not%20dish%20soap).

Nbreakspeare

Having followed that link and seen the photos I think you are on point with your suggestion. The black shiny dots are Thrips’ excrement! Going to follow the advice and use tape to lift away as many larvae and adults I can and try insecticidal soap and Pyrethrin. Thank you!

Pete.8

Good luck.
I get them on herbs sometimes they can move fast, so it's something I think you'll have to a few times to get rid of them.

Blue Onion

I had them on my indoor plants this summer, including my fiddle leaf fig.  I just sprayed the undersides and all the parts of the tree with soapy dish soap water in a spray bottle.  I covered the soil and edges of the pot with a plastic bag to keep the soap from the soil/roots - tented up off the soil so the water ran away from the trunk.  I let it sit on the plant for about five minutes, then sprayed it all off with plain water to rinse it away.  I did this once a week with any plants I noticed them on.  I also wiped the bottom of the leaves with a wet rag when I noticed any evidence of thrips. It seemed to have worked, I haven't seen any for several months.  No harm to the plants either.